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MOUNT NAPIER HOMESTEAD
Harmans Road GAZETTE, Southern Grampians Shire
MOUNT NAPIER HOMESTEAD
Harmans Road GAZETTE, Southern Grampians Shire
All information on this page is maintained by Southern Grampians Shire.
Click below for their website and contact details.
Southern Grampians Shire
23129 Mount Napier Homestead Gazette first house 2223
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Statement of Significance
What is significant?
The Mount Napier squatting run on the Eumerella River about twenty kilometres south-east of Hamilton and
six kilometres from Mount Napier was taken up in 1840. The homestead complex has significant
associations, firstly with the Scottish pioneering Brown brothers, John and Thomas who built the original
stone houses and stables and then with John Matheson from 1862. The latter was the son of a Scottish
crofter who became the first general manager of the Bank of Victoria, a position he held until retirement in
1881. The Brown brothers and Matheson were Overstraiters from Van Diemen's Land. The estate was not
subdivided after Matheson's death in 1882 nor under the Closer Settlement Scheme but was sold in 1911 to
Melbourne interests who did subdivide the land. The original vernacular stone buildings of Mount Napier
Homestead survive from the first years of settlement of the property. Their primitive construction
technique, their scale and disposition are particularly notable. The present house dates from about 1906 and
is one of the finer homesteads from that period in the area. The garden dates from the same period. The
original buildings are substantially intact and are in fair condition. The present homestead retains a high
degree of integrity and is in excellent condition.
How is it significant?
Mount Napier Homestead Complex is of historical and architectural significance to the shire of southern
Grampians.
Why is it significant?
Mount Napier Homestead Complex is of historical significance as one of the earliest established in the
Hamilton district, for its associations with the Overstraiters, John and Thomas Brown of Hobart Town who
were influential in early Hamilton, and for the period of its ownership by John Matheson, another
Overstraiter who, although only the son of a Scottish crofter, became the first general manager of the Bank
of Victoria. Mount Napier Homestead is of architectural significance as a modest example from the
Federation period, with certain unusual planning and construction details, which is enhanced by its garden setting.
The Mount Napier squatting run on the Eumerella River about twenty kilometres south-east of Hamilton and
six kilometres from Mount Napier was taken up in 1840. The homestead complex has significant
associations, firstly with the Scottish pioneering Brown brothers, John and Thomas who built the original
stone houses and stables and then with John Matheson from 1862. The latter was the son of a Scottish
crofter who became the first general manager of the Bank of Victoria, a position he held until retirement in
1881. The Brown brothers and Matheson were Overstraiters from Van Diemen's Land. The estate was not
subdivided after Matheson's death in 1882 nor under the Closer Settlement Scheme but was sold in 1911 to
Melbourne interests who did subdivide the land. The original vernacular stone buildings of Mount Napier
Homestead survive from the first years of settlement of the property. Their primitive construction
technique, their scale and disposition are particularly notable. The present house dates from about 1906 and
is one of the finer homesteads from that period in the area. The garden dates from the same period. The
original buildings are substantially intact and are in fair condition. The present homestead retains a high
degree of integrity and is in excellent condition.
How is it significant?
Mount Napier Homestead Complex is of historical and architectural significance to the shire of southern
Grampians.
Why is it significant?
Mount Napier Homestead Complex is of historical significance as one of the earliest established in the
Hamilton district, for its associations with the Overstraiters, John and Thomas Brown of Hobart Town who
were influential in early Hamilton, and for the period of its ownership by John Matheson, another
Overstraiter who, although only the son of a Scottish crofter, became the first general manager of the Bank
of Victoria. Mount Napier Homestead is of architectural significance as a modest example from the
Federation period, with certain unusual planning and construction details, which is enhanced by its garden setting.
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